Page 23 of Chill’s Chance

Puma shrugs. “Hunter trailed a man that we thought might be a DEA agent. He met Agent Gates at a Starbucks a few blocks over. Hunter recorded the conversation, which ended when she told the agent to hide the drugs.”

“Fuck me.” Sterling says, running his hand down his face. “Why is she after you? I take it. it’s personal. Did you fuck her or something and not return her call?”

I can’t stop the snort of laughter while both Hunter and Wildcard chuckle. Puma glares at us, but it just makes us laugh harder. “That’s what she said.” Hunter says jerking his thumb at me, which has Wildcard completely losing it. He and Hunter are hanging onto each other like two drunk besties.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: HUNTER

While laughing with Wildcard over a juvenile joke, I realize something. I’m happy. Puma is glaring at us, which is a frightening sight, but I can also see the twitch of the smile he’s fighting. Watching Chill laugh is a religious experience. She’s so incredibly beautiful, but usually her beauty is ice cold. Laughing with her VP and President, I see what she’s found, family. And even though it’s only been a few days, I feel like I’ve found one, too. I found the place where I belong.

“Are you guys drunk?” Sterling asks, which just has us laughing harder.

Chill calms down first, but she avoids looking at Puma. “No, we’re just immature.” She responds, and Sterling shakes his head.

“While the girls giggle, I’ll tell you what we know about Agent Bitch.” Puma says, causing me to snort, which has Wildcard laughing harder. “Jesus.” He mutters, before continuing. “Agent Lauren Gates’s late husband worked for the FBI before he died in the line of duty. He died at our clubhouse. I was there, as was Wildcard, but I think either our previous President or VP was the one who shot the agent. Pretty certain she blames the club, or maybe just me.”

Sterling nods. “I know about that. Saw it when I first looked into your club after joining LVPD.” He muses. “The findings told of a three-way shooting between the VP, the Prez and the agent.”

Wildcard snorts at the term three-way, causing both Sterling and Puma to roll their eyes.

“You should get him back to the club so he can sleep off whatever shit he’s on or get him laid.” Sterling says before turning away. “I’ll see what I can find out about Agent Gates. I’ll come see you tomorrow to meet Slade.”

“Come in the afternoon and you can stay for the party.” Puma says. “You should be there.”

Sterling, who was waving his hand in acknowledgement, stops and turns to study Puma. “Why should I be there?” He asks him. Puma just grins, and Sterling gives him a huge smile in return. “Fuck, yeah.” He says before continuing on.

“What was that all about?” I ask Chill as Wildcard and Puma head for their bikes.

“We’re patching in Showtime tomorrow night.” Chill says, smirking. “She hasn’t been with us a full year yet, but I know Puma wants to do it before he leaves for San Diego.”

I straddle the loaner bike and hold my helmet while I watch her shift her amazing ass onto her bike. “Why is he going to San Diego? Isn’t that the main chapter? Is there a meeting or something?”

“Or something.” She says with a grin. “Dante, the club President is getting married and Puma is officiating. He does a lot of weddings here at the casino and they all seem to stick.”

I grin with her as I snap on my helmet. I imagine anyone saying ‘I do’ before Puma would have a hard time reneging on those vows. Something about a man who can snap you in two, makes you think twice before breaking it. I fall in line behind Chill and Wildcard with the man himself in the lead. Forcing myself to focus on the busy road, my mind keeps wandering to the image of my standing in front of Puma with Chill next to me as we say our vows. I don’t know if I can convince her to marry me, but fuck, the idea of making her my wife just feels right.

When we arrive at the clubhouse, I immediately go in search of my son. I feel a little guilty for being gone so long, but I know how much I owe this club. I find him in the media room sitting next to Elina with Mal on her other side. The three of them are giggling and the sound of their laughter has me smiling. Chill comes to stand next to me and grins up at me.

“He settling in.” She whispers and I nod. “Elina is a wonder. She’s a ball of energy that gathers everyone around her.”

“She’s Puma’s step-daughter, right?” I ask, and she shrugs.

“He and Alisa aren’t married. Yet. But that’s just a technicality. He adores that little girl, as does everyone in the clubhouse.”

“I’m glad she’s here. She’s made it easier for Slade to adjust to life without his mom.” I sigh. “We need to have a heart-to-heart talk. I feel like I’ve let him down.”

“Hey, you couldn’t have known what was happening. Nicole kept you in the dark. You did the best you could in the situation. But when he needed you the most, you stepped up and did what you had to do to find him and protect him. If he doesn’t already understand that, he will, especially now that you’re here and not leaving again.”

I nod and swallow down the lump gathering in my throat. This is the Chill I met, the one who had your back. I lost that for a while by not being honest with her. I make a promise to myself to never let that happen again. Honesty, that’s the key. “Thanks. I should talk to him before that detective arrives tomorrow.”

“Sterling is a good guy. He’ll be kind to Slade. But if it gets too uncomfortable, we’ll just have Showtime distract him.”

“I take it they’re a couple?” I muse. “Seems like an odd coupling. Won’t they find it hard to build a relationship while she’s part of an MC and he’s a cop? Sounds like a modern day Romeo and Juliet.”

Chill snorts. “Neither of them are sniveling children who jump without thinking through their actions. Showtime is loyal to us. We’re her family. They may make it work, but only if he respects her. He also has to decide if he’s willing to take the heat for dating a member of the MC. His bosses may not like that much. But they don’t have to figure it out alone. We have a brother in the San Diego chapter who is also a detective. He keeps the peace between the badge and his kutte.”

“Really?” I ask in surprise because I never considered an MC member of a 1% club being a cop. “I’m guessing he’s more loyal to the kutte than the badge?”

Chill nods. “Oh yeah. He loves being a cop, but he’d give it up before he gave up the club.”

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